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June 1976

Biographical Sketch: Dr. Norman Lamm, Erna and Jakob Michael Professor of Jewish Philosophy (1976)

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Biographical Sketch: Dr. Norman Lamm, President, Yeshiva University (1976)

Dr. Norman Lamm, philosopher, author, and teacher, and a chemist who became a rabbi, was elected the third president of Yeshiva University in August 1976. He became the first American-born president of the 91-year-old institution – the nation's oldest and largest university under Jewish auspices. Dr. Lamm was born in Williamsburg, Brooklyn, on December 19, 1927, the son of Samuel and Pearl Baumol Lamm. He received his elementary and high school education at the Yeshiva Torah Vodaath in Brooklyn. In 1949 he earned his Bachelor of Arts degree summa cum laude from Yeshiva College of Yeshiva University, where he majored in chemistry and was class valedictorian. During Israel's War of Independence in 1948, as a student at the College, he worked on a secret munitions research project for the struggling state, headed by Dr. Ernst D. Bergmann, who later became head of the Israel Atomic Energy Commission. He continued his studies in chemistry at the Polytechnic Institute of Brooklyn. In 1951 he was ordained at the Rabbi Isaac Elchanan Theological Seminary, an affiliate of Yeshiva University. He received the Doctor of Philosophy degree in Jewish philosophy in 1966 from Yeshiva University's Bernard Revel Graduate School. Dr. Lamm was appointed to the faculty of Yeshiva University in 1953, serving first as a philosophy instructor and rising through the ranks. In June 1966 he was appointed Erna and Jakob Michael Professor of Jewish Philosophy at the University. In addition, he served as visiting professor of Judaic studies at Brooklyn College of the City University of New York in 1974–75. Dr. Lamm was spiritual leader of The Jewish Center in New York City, affiliated with the Center since 1958. He served as rabbi of Congregation Kodimoh in Springfield, Massachusetts, from 1954 to 1958, and as assistant rabbi of New York City's Kehilath Jeshurun from 1952 to 1953. Dr. Lamm is widely recognized for his writings and discourses on interpretations of Jewish law in relation to probl…
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Tribute

In Honor of Dr. Norman Lamm (2010)

It is with great pleasure that I pay tribute to Dr. Lamm on the occasion of the celebration of the Rabbi Dr. Norman Lamm prize presented this week to Rabbi Dr. Lord Jonathan Sacks. Dr. Lamm has been a distinguished leader of American Orthodoxy for more than half a century and of our yeshiva for close to three decades. One pasuk in the biblical book that bears his name describes Dr. Lamm’s tenacious and passionate efforts on behalf of our community. “...Man the guard posts, watch the road, gird your strength and gather much vigor” (Nachum 2:2).I want to frame my few words of tribute in honor of Dr. Lamm by making reference to the titles of some of his many works. Visionary leader and gifted orator, multi-faceted intellectual and powerful thinker. Dr. Lamm has devoted his life to the Jewish community. His “royal reach“ has embraced those who have both “faith and doubt,“ and the profundity of his teachings has illuminated many of the “seventy faces“ of Judaism, especially “Torah Utnadda.“ His thoughtful writings have contributed to our understanding of both Rabbi Hayyim of Volozhin’s “Torah lishmah” as well as “the religious thought of Hasidism.“ His works have constructed a “hedge of roses" protecting and enhancing the “treasury of tradition,” the “halakhot ve'halikhot” of Jewish life, lore and practice. Collectively, they comprise a “library’ of Jewish law and ethics," serving as guides to contemporary Jewish life. In a lifetime of service to Klal Yisrael, Dr. Lamm has valiantly toiled to ensure that contemporary Jewish life be a “good society,” governed by the value of “shema ” or respectful listening.May Hakadosh Baruch Hu grant Dr. Lamm many more happy years of good health and sound mind to continue his very important work and to enjoy together with Mindy and all the members of their extraordinary and wonderful family.
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Tribute

Introduction of Dr. Norman Lamm (2003)

As we begin the awarding of diplomas, I want to recognize an honorary graduate of the Class of 2003. The candidate for our special recognition came to us at a time of great fiscal crisis and helped us through the fog of fiscal despair. When I assumed this deanship 19 years ago, we labored together to ensure that the Albert Einstein College of Medicine would remain the Hope Diamond in the crown of Yeshiva University. Our honoree is the distinguished President of Yeshiva University. As President he has personally conferred the degree of Doctor of Medicine on 4,607Einstein students. This is 3000 more than have climbed Mt. Everest in the past 50 years. Although President Lamm is not a Sherpa, he has helped more of us to scale the heights of success than is required of most guides. Indeed no President in the history of American medicine has minted more young medical doctors than Dr. Norman Lamm. And now after 27 years he leaves the Presidency in the able hands of Mr. Richard Joel to assume a new role as Chancellor of the University. Will the candidate, Dr. Norman Lamm, join me to receive a special award.President Lamm, I am honored to present you with the Uncle Albert Einstein Gold Stethoscope Award for distinguished service to the College of Medicine. You should know that it is very cool to drape the stethoscope over your shoulders like ascarf, let it hang from the neck - or actually plug it into the ears. In your new role as Chancellor you may use this special device to listen for the wheeze of the frail of spirit, the murmurs of the discontented, and muffled sounds of the faint of heart who would desist from supporting our noble purpose. Let what you hear guide you on a new path as you continue to serve Yeshiva University. We are appreciative and thankful for your devotion to our College of Medicine and we are comforted in the knowledge that you will always be “on call” for spiritual guidance.
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